A MID Cheshire union rep says more than 270 MPs backing an Early Day Motion (EDM) opposing any extension of Sunday trading hours is a massive body-blow for supporters of deregulation.

Scores of MPs, including Middlewich's Ann Winterton, have signed the motion opposing any extension to the present six-hour limit that large stores can open on Sundays.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has also received more than 30 messages of support from ministers and ministerial aides who cannot sign the EDM due to a longstanding parliamentary convention forbidding them to so.

'Britain's 3.1m retail workers now have the support of nearly half of all MPs and it's good news that senior ministers are also opposed to extending the hours,' said Usdaw's Mid Cheshire regional organiser Steve Bennett.

'Over half of Labour's MPs are supporting our campaign, as well as strong support from the two main opposition parties.

'But we're not complacent as this battle still has some way to go so we're continuing our high profile Save Our Sundays campaign.

'Thousands of shop workers have written to their MPs reminding them of the devastating impact longer hours would have on the family lives of retail staff. This level of support proves MPs do listen to their constituents.

'We've been reminding MPs that 64% of Britain's shoppers are also opposed to any further extension of the hours and 150 hours a week shopping is quite enough even for the most hardened consumer.'

Mr Bennett said 94% of Mid Cheshire Usdaw members opposed longer opening hours on Sunday. He explained: 'It is often the one day in the busy retail week they can spend quality time with their families.

'All we want is for our members to have a decent work/life balance and we told ministers that extending Sunday trading hours would wreck the family lives of our members.

Lady Winterton said: 'Shops are already open long enough for people to do their shopping.'